Complete MVC Weekly Notebook

ST. LOUIS – Sean Molony's 14-save effort at DePaul and back-to-back shutout performances have earned the goalkeeper of Eastern Illinois men's soccer Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.

 

Molony helped EIU post victories against Western Illinois Wednesday in Charleston and DePaul Saturday in Chicago. His 14 saves represent a career-high total and the most by a Panther goalkeeper since the beginning of the 2003 season. Around the country this year, his 14 saves represent the third most in a single game by an NCAA Division I goalkeeper.

 

Molony enters the week ranked fifth nationally in saves per game (6.6), making 33 in the first five games.

 

Molony is the first Panther since Adam Gartner in September 2007 to be recognized as the league's Defensive Player of the Week. He's the first EIU goalkeeper to win the award since assistant coach Mark Hansen in November 2006. Eastern has not had a conference player of the week of any kind since Brad Peters in September 2008.

 

Molony has now posted eight shutouts in his 21 starts as an EIU goalkeeper. He managed to post consecutive clean-sheet efforts for the second time as a Panther. He finished out his shutout victory against WIU Wednesday despite being dazed in the final minutes after collision with an opposing player. His final save of the game came in the final minute. At DePaul, he also helped the EIU defense successfully defend 10 corner kicks.

Molony and the Panthers return to action Wednesday when they host IUPUI at 4:30 p.m.